SMEDD is responsible for coordinating the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a vision for economic growth and development. The CEDS allows communities in York and Cumberland Counties to become eligible for funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). EDA provides grants to support planning and infrastructure in rural and urban areas experiencing economic distress due to high unemployment, low income, mass layoffs, closure of federal facilities, natural disasters, depletion of natural resources, or changing trade patterns. Eligible communities in York and Cumberland Counties must apply for EDA funds through SMEDD. In addition to meeting economic distress criteria, eligible communities must include their projects in the CEDS